Effects of the standardizedPanax ginseng extract g115 on theD-glucose transport by Ehrlich ascites tumour cells

The G115 standardized ginseng extract: an example for safety, efficacy, and quality of an herbal medicine

Ginseng products on the market show high variability in their composition and overall quality. This becomes a challenge for both consumers and health-care professionals who are in search of high-quality, reliable ginseng products that have a proven safety and efficacy profile. The botanical extract standardization is of crucial importance in this context as it determines the reproducibility of the quality of the product that is essential for the evaluation of effectiveness and safety. This review focuses on the well-characterized and standardized ginseng extract, G115, which represents an excellent example of an herbal drug preparation with constant safety and efficacy within the herbal medicinal products. Over the many decades, extensive preclinical and clinical research has been conducted to evaluate the efficacy and safety of G115. In vitro and in vivo studies of G115 have shown pharmacological effects on physical performance, cognitive function, metabolism, and the immune system. Furthermore, a significant number of G115 clinical studies, most of them double-blind placebo-controlled, have reinforced the findings of preclinical evidence and proved the efficacy of this extract on blood glucose and lipid regulation, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, energy, physical performance, and immune and cognitive functions. Clinical trials and 50 years of presence on the market are proof of a good safety profile of G115.

Antidiabetic potential of Musa spp. inflorescence: a systematic review

Objectives

Extracts of parts Musa spp. have been used for the treatment of various diseases in traditional medicine. Studies have shown that these extracts have hypoglycaemic properties. The aim of this work was to gather evidence on the antidiabetic effects of Musa spp. inflorescence.

Methods

A systematic review was conducted with searches in three electronic databases, along with manual searches. Studies evaluating the antidiabetic properties of extracts of flower or bract of the genus Musa (in vitro or in vivo) were included.

Key findings

Overall, 16 studies were found. The reported assays were of hypoglycaemic effects, oral glucose tolerance, inhibitory activities in carbohydrate metabolism and digestive enzymes, enhanced glucose uptake activity and popular use of the extract in patients with diabetes type 2. In vitro studies showed that use of the extract was associated with antidiabetic effects (e.g. increased glucose uptake and inhibition of carbohydrate digestion enzymes). In induced diabetic models, Musa spp. extracts showed dose-dependent glycaemic level reductions compared with pharmacological drugs (P < 0.05).

Summary

In general, promising results regarding antidiabetic activity were found for inflorescence of Musa spp., suggesting that this plant could represent a natural alternative therapy for treating diabetes mellitus type 2.

Potential Roles of Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni in Abrogating Insulin Resistance and Diabetes: A Review

Insulin resistance is a key factor in metabolic disorders like hyperglycemia and hyperinsulinemia, which are promoted by obesity and may later lead to Type II diabetes mellitus. In recent years, researchers have identified links between insulin resistance and many noncommunicable illnesses other than diabetes. Hence, studying insulin resistance is of particular importance in unravelling the pathways employed by such diseases. In this review, mechanisms involving free fatty acids, adipocytokines such as TNFα and PPARγ and serine kinases like JNK and IKKβ, asserted to be responsible in the development of insulin resistance, will be discussed. Suggested mechanisms for actions in normal and disrupted states were also visualised in several manually constructed diagrams to capture an overall view of the insulin-signalling pathway and its related components. The underlying constituents of medicinal significance found in the Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni plant (among other plants that potentiate antihyperglycemic activities) were explored in further depth. Understanding these factors and their mechanisms may be essential for comprehending the progression of insulin resistance towards the development of diabetes mellitus.

Antioxidant, anti-diabetic and renal protective properties of Stevia rebaudiana

BACKGROUND

Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni has been used for the treatment of diabetes in, for example, Brazil, although a positive effect on antidiabetic and its complications has not been unequivocally demonstrated. This herb also has numerous therapeutic properties which have been proven safe and effective over hundreds of years. Streptozotocin is a potential source of oxidative stress that induces genotoxicity.

OBJECTIVE

We studied the effects of stevia leaves and its extracted polyphenols and fiber on streptozotocin induced diabetic rats. We hypothesize that supplementation of polyphenols extract from stevia to the diet causes a reduction in diabetes and its complications.

DESIGN/METHODS

Eighty Wistar rats were randomly divided into 8 groups; a standard control diet was supplemented with either stevia whole leaves powder (4.0%) or polyphenols or fiber extracted from stevia separately and fed for one month. Streptozotocin (60 mg/kg body weight, i.p) was injected to the diabetic groups on the 31st day. Several indices were analyzed to assess the modulation of the streptozotocin induced oxidative stress, toxicity and blood glucose levels by stevia.

RESULTS

The results showed a reduction of blood glucose, ALT and AST, and increment of insulin level in the stevia whole leaves powder and extracted polyphenols fed rats compared to control diabetic group. Its feeding also reduced the MDA concentration in liver and improved its antioxidant status through antioxidant enzymes. Glucose tolerance and insulin sensitivity were improved by their feeding. Streptozotocin was also found to induce kidney damage as evidenced by decreased glomerular filtration rate; this change was however alleviated in the stevia leaves and extracted polyphenol fed groups.

CONCLUSION

The results suggested that stevia leaves do have a significant role in alleviating liver and kidney damage in the STZ-diabetic rats besides its hypoglycemic effect. It might be adequate to conclude that stevia leaves could protect rats against streptozotocin induced diabetes, reduce the risk of oxidative stress and ameliorate liver and kidney damage.

Red ginseng for type 2 diabetes mellitus: a systematic review of randomized controlled trials

OBJECTIVE

Red ginseng (RG, Panax ginseng C.A. Meyer) is one of the widely used herbs for treating type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM). However, no systematic review of the effectiveness of RG for type 2 DM is available. This systematic review aimed to evaluate the current evidence for the effectiveness of RG in patients with type 2 DM.

METHODS

Electronic searches of 14 electronic databases were conducted without language restrictions. All randomized clinical trials (RCTs) with RG as a treatment for type 2 DM were considered for inclusion. Their methodological quality was assessed using the Cochrane criteria.

RESULTS

Four RCTs met our inclusion criteria. Their methodological quality was variable. Three of the RCTs compared the effectiveness of RG with placebo. The meta-analysis of these data failed to favor RG over placebo for fasting plasma glucose (FPG) [n =76, weighted mean difference (WMD): -0.43 mmol/L; 95% confidence interval (CI): -1.16 to 0.30, =0.25] and fasting plasma insulin (FPI) (n =76, WMD: -8.43 pmol/L; 95% CI: -19.54 to 2.68, P =0.14) for 12 weeks of treatment. One RCT compared the effects of RG with no treatment. The results did not suggest favorable effects of RG on FPG, hemoglobin A(1c) (HbA(1c)) or 2-h blood glucose after a meal (PP2h).

CONCLUSIONS

The evidence for the effectiveness of RG in controlling glucose in type 2 DM is not convincing. Few included studies with various treatment regimens prohibit definitive conclusions. More rigorous studies are needed to clarify the effects of RG on this condition.

Protective effect of Panax ginseng against serum biochemical changes and apoptosis in liver of rats treated with carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)

The purpose of this study was to investigate possible beneficial effects of Panax ginseng (PG) on carbon tetrachloride (CCl(4))-induced acute hepatotoxicity in rats. CCl(4) challenge elevated serum enzyme activities of liver and some biochemical parameters, but these effects were prevented by the pretreatment of rats with PG. Histologically, a great amount of mononuclear cells infiltration, necrotic cells and few fibroblasts were observed in liver of CCl(4) group. Also, CD68(+) and caspase-3 staining cells were diffused in both lobular and portal areas. However, PG pretreatment had a little influence on the number of caspase-3 immunopositive staining cells in the liver, but CD68(+) staining areas were significantly decreased in the PG+CCl(4) when compared to CCl(4) group. We conclude that PG treatment may play a protective role by enhancing liver enzyme activities and recovering biochemical parameters, and improving the changes in histological structure against CCl(4)-induced liver damages in rats.

Korean red ginseng (Panax ginseng) improves glucose and insulin regulation in well-controlled, type 2 diabetes: results of a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study of efficacy and safety

BACKGROUND AND AIM

To address the paucity of randomized clinical studies assessing ginseng on long-term outcomes in type 2 diabetes, we assessed the clinical antidiabetic efficacy and safety of 12 weeks of supplementation with a Korean red ginseng (KRG) preparation, dose, and mode of administration, selected from an acute, clinical, screening model.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Nineteen participants with well-controlled type 2 diabetes (sex: 11 M:8 F, age: 64+/-2 years, BMI: 28.9+/-1.4 kg/m(2), HbA(1c): 6.5%) completed the study. Using a double-blind, randomized, crossover design, each participant received the selected KRG preparation (rootlets) and placebo at the selected dose (2 g/meal=6 g/day) and mode of administration (preprandial oral agent [-40 min]) for 12 weeks as an adjunct to their usual anti-diabetic therapy (diet and/or medications). Outcomes included measures of efficacy (HbA1c and fasting- and 75-g oral glucose tolerance test [OGTT]-plasma glucose [PG], plasma insulin [PI], and insulin sensitivity index [ISI] indices); safety (liver, kidney, haemostatic, and blood-pressure function); and compliance (returned capsules, diet-records, and body-weight). There was no change in the primary endpoint, HbA(1c). The participants, however, remained well-controlled (HbA1c=6.5%) throughout. The selected KRG treatment also decreased 75 g-OGTT-PG indices by 8-11% and fasting-PI and 75 g-OGTT-PI indices by 33-38% and increased fasting-ISI (homeostasis model assessment [HOMA]) and 75 g-OGTT-ISI by 33%, compared with placebo (P<0.05). Safety and compliance outcomes remained unchanged.

CONCLUSIONS

Although clinical efficacy, as assessed by HbA1c, was not demonstrated, 12 weeks of supplementation with the selected KRG treatment maintained good glycemic control and improved PG and PI regulation safely beyond usual therapy in people with well-controlled type 2 diabetes. Further investigation with similarly selected KRG treatments may yield clinical efficacy.

Effects of wild ginseng (Panax ginseng C.A. Meyer) leaves on lipid peroxidation levels and antioxidant enzyme activities in streptozotocin diabetic rats

The aim of this study was to examine the possible antioxidant activities of wild Panax ginseng leaf extract intake in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats (WGLE). Initial blood glucose levels increased abruptly after streptozotocin injection. After 4 weeks of WGLE supplementation, blood glucose levels were lower in animals fed 40 mg/kg (266 mg/dL) and 200 mg/kg (239 mg/dL) than those in no-WGLE fed diabetic rats (464 mg/dL). The concentration of blood TBARS, which are considered the main products of glucose oxidation in blood, was also lowered by WGLE supplementation. These results indicate that WGLE supplementation is involved in suppressing a sudden increase in blood glucose levels and a consequent decrease in TBARS levels in diabetic rats. TBARS levels in the liver, kidney and spleen of WGLE-fed diabetic groups were also significantly lower than in the control diabetic group indicating that oral administration of WGLE effectively suppresses lipid peroxidation that occurs in the organs of diabetic rats. Antioxidant activities of WGLE supplementation further extend in suppressing activities of antioxidant related enzymes, such as glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD), in organs of diabetic rats. These results confirm the effectiveness of WGLE supplementation in detoxifying free radicals that are produced excessively in diabetic-induced complications.

Decreasing, Null and Increasing Effects of Eight Popular Types of Ginseng on Acute Postprandial Glycemic Indices in Healthy Humans: The Role of Ginsenosides

BACKGROUND

It is unclear whether other ginseng sources can replicate the glycemic-lowering efficacy observed previously with American ginseng and whether ginsenosides are mediators. We assessed the effect of eight popular ginseng types on postprandial plasma glucose (PG) and insulin (PI) indices, linking effects to ginsenoside profiles.

METHODS

Using a double-blind, randomized, multiple-crossover design, 12 healthy participants (gender: 6M:6F, age: 34 +/- 3 y, BMI: 25.8 +/- 1.2 kg/m(2)) received 10 3g treatments: American, American-wild, Asian, Asian-red, Vietnamese-wild, Siberian, Japanese-rhizome, and Sanchi ginsengs and two placebos. Each treatment was given 40-minutes before a 75g-oral-glucose-tolerance-test (75g-OGTT) with blood drawn at -40, 0, 15, 30, 45, 60, 90, 120-minutes. HPLC-UV analysis quantified seven principal ginsenosides.

RESULTS

Two-factor analysis showed the main effects of ginseng-type and time were significant for PG and PI, with an interaction for PG (p < 0.05). Subsequent one-factor analysis showed an effect of ginseng-type on 90-min-PG and 90-min-PI (p < 0.05). This was reflected in effects on peak-PG, area under the curve (AUC)-PG and AUC-PI (p < 0.05). But the effect on 90-min-PI and AUC-PI were significant (p < 0.05) only in overweight participants (BMI > 25 kg/m(2), n = 6). Planned comparisons with placebo showed a tendency for American ginseng and Vietnamese ginseng to lower 90-min-PG (p < 0.06), while Asian ginseng raised peak-PG and AUC-PG, American-wild ginseng raised 120-min-PG, and Siberian ginseng raised 90-min-PG, 120-min-PG, and AUC-PG (p < 0.05). Stepwise-multiple-regression assessed the protopanaxadiol:protopanaxatriol (PPD:PPT)-ginsenoside ratio as the sole predictor (p < 0.05) for 90-min-PG (beta = -0.43, r(2) = 0.072), AUC-PG (beta = -0.25, r(2) = 0.06), 90-min-PI (beta = -0.26, r(2) = 0.065), AUC-PI (beta = -0.20, r(2) = 0.04).

CONCLUSIONS

Ginseng has variable glycemic effects, in which the PPD:PPT-ginsenoside ratio might be involved. But the low variance explained suggests the involvement of other unmeasured ginsenoside or non-ginsenoside components.

Panax ginseng: a role in cancer therapy?

Panax ginseng is a plant that has been used in traditional medicine in China for thousands of years. It is used as a general tonic or adaptogen with chronically ill patients and is frequently featured in traditional medicine prescriptions from China, Japan, and Korea used by cancer patients. The putative active compounds are the ginsenosides, of which there are more than two dozen. These compounds are found in both Panax ginseng and in other Panax species that are used in herbal medicine. Analysis of ginsenosides is being used in developing quality control assessments for ginseng, which has frequently been adulterated due to its high cost; many currently available standardized extracts do appear to contain the amounts of ginsenosides listed on package labeling. The toxicity of ginseng appears to be low: some of the reports of toxic episodes of ginseng may actually pertain to other components of multicomponent preparations. Very low incidence of toxicity has been observed in ginseng clinical trials using well-characterized preparations. Numerous pharmacological activities of ginseng and the ginsenosides have been explored: the authors review here the activities relating to cancer. Immune system modulation, antistress activities, and antihyperglycemic activities are among the most notable features of ginseng noted in laboratory and clinical analyses. Much testing has been done in humans to explore ginseng's purported antifatigue properties, but this area remains controversial. A number of investigations point to antitumor properties and other pharmacological activities related to cancer, but no trials have yet confirmed a clinically significant anticancer activity. Cancer patients may empirically find ginseng to be useful when they are fatigued, although clinical trials should be conducted to confirm its benefits.

A new insulin-mimetic vanadyl complex, (N-pyridylmethylaspartate)oxovanadium(IV) with VO(N2O2) coordination mode, and evaluation of its effect on uptake of D-glucose by Ehrlich ascites tumour cells

Because it has been confirmed that the vanadyl(IV) ion and its complexes act as insulin mimetics, a new organic vanadyl complex, (N-pyridylmethylaspartate)oxovanadium (VOPASP) with VO(N2O2) coordination mode, was prepared. Development of a simple and rapid in-vitro assay is needed for recognition of potent insulin-mimetic complexes. Treatment of Ehrlich ascites tumour cells with 2-deoxyglucose in the presence of vanadyl sulphate, or other vanadyl complexes with the same coordination mode (VOPASP, bis(picolinate)oxovanadium (VOPA) and bis(6-methyl picolinate)oxovanadium (VOMPA)), in the presence of 2-deoxy-D-[1-3H]glucose ([3H]deoxyglucose), resulted in concentration-dependent uptake of 2-deoxyglucose by the cells. The responses of the cells to the vanadyl complexes were reflected, in part, by results obtained from the free fatty acid-releasing assay using rat adipocytes. These results show that the in-vitro assay with Ehrlich ascites tumour cells provides an accurate and rapid assessment of glucose uptake by the cells. The assay is proposed as a means of predicting the insulin-mimetic activity of the vanadyl complexes and for studying the mechanism of action of the complexes.